New Delhi: Orissa will hereafter be called
`Odisha` and the Oriya language will be known as `Odia` with
Parliament giving approval to amendment of the Constitution
and also passing the related bill.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday made minor amendments to the Orissa
(the Alteration of Name) Bill and the Constitution (113th)
Amendment Bill, which have already been approved by the Rajya
Sabha.

The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on November 9 last
year and sent to Rajya Sabha for concurrence. The Upper House
passed it with amendments on March 24 and returned it to the
Lower House the same day.

In the division today, 301 members voted in favour of the
Constitution amendment bill and none against. Minister of
State for Home Jitendra Singh piloted the two bills.

Members thumped the desks at the passage of the bill but
hardly few MPs from the 14-member strong BJD, which is ruling
Odisha, were present.

Immediately after the bills were passed, Speaker Meira
Kumar adjourned the House for the day in what appeared to be
an understanding between the government and the Opposition
which has been protesting against the appointment of Lokayukta
in Gujarat by the Governor.

Another legislation, Constitution (111th Amendment) Bill
2009 outlining guidelines for running co-operative societies,
was not taken up though it was listed ahead of the bill
concerning Odisha.

Several members including those from the Treasury and
Opposition benches looked surprised over the abrupt
adjournment of the House for the day at around 1220 hours.